Chapter 187: Alexander Informs His Father
{Third Person}
Dinner eventually came to an end.
As servants began clearing the table and the family slowly rose from their seats, King Sebastian stood as well.
He had noticed the seriousness in Alexander’s expression earlier, and although he had tried not to dwell on it during dinner, the matter had remained at the back of his mind.
Whatever Alexander wanted to discuss was clearly important.
Without drawing attention to himself, Sebastian glanced at Alexander and said, "Come with me."
Alexander gave a small nod and rose calmly from his seat.
Amara watched him quietly as he left with the King. She did not ask questions, though curiosity naturally stirred within her. Around the table, the others noticed as well.
Lysandra’s eyes narrowed slightly. Zarek exchanged a brief glance with Rowan while Elowen simply watched her father and brother disappear into the inner quarters.
None of them knew what was happening, but all of them sensed that whatever it was, it was important.
Meanwhile, Sebastian led Alexander into his private study. The moment the doors shut behind them, silence settled over the room.
The King walked toward the centre of the room before turning to face his son. The warmth and ease he had displayed during dinner had faded, replaced by a more serious expression.
He studied Alexander carefully and inquired, "What is it?" His voice was calm. "Is something wrong?"
Alexander met his father’s gaze without hesitation. There was no need to drag the matter out, so he immediately stated his reason.
"I will be leaving the palace in a few days."
The words landed like a blow. Sebastian stared at him. For a moment, he genuinely thought he had misheard.
"What?"
"I said, I will be moving out of the palace." Alexander remained calm. This time, there was no room for misunderstanding.
Sebastian’s expression changed immediately. Shock came first, then disbelief, followed by anger.
"No."
The word came quickly. Firmly. Absolutely.
"No." He stared at his son, his voice rising slightly as he shook his head. "I will not allow it."
Alexander was as composed as ever. His father’s reaction did not surprise him. It was expected.
Sebastian took a few steps forward, frustration beginning to show. "What kind of nonsense is this?" His voice sharpened. "You are the Alpha Prince."
Then he pointed toward the floor as if emphasizing the very foundation of his argument. "This palace is your home."
His gaze hardened. "You do not leave the palace to go live in the city."
Alexander remained quiet. And that silence only agitated his father further.
Sebastian tried another approach. This time, he lowered his voice. It was more controlled and reasonable.
"If this is about the recent incidents, then we can strengthen security." He began listing solutions immediately. "I can double the guards around your residence."
His expression was firm. "No one suspicious will be allowed near you again."
Alexander finally spoke. "It won’t matter."
Sebastian frowned.
Alexander’s voice remained calm, but there was an unmistakable weight behind every word. "Father, I was poisoned. The political bride was drugged and poisoned as well."
His gaze did not shift. "And both happened during the first day of the birthday banquet."
Each word landed heavily. Sebastian’s expression slowly tightened.
Alexander continued speaking, his voice still painfully calm. "You personally oversaw the preparations."
There was no accusation or anger in his tone, but somehow, that hurt more.
"You made sure everything was checked." Another pause followed, then he added, "And yet, it still happened."
Sebastian said nothing because there was nothing to say.
Alexander was right. He had taken control personally. He had done everything possible to ensure nothing went wrong, and yet his precious son had nearly died. His daughter-in-law had been drugged right under his nose.
"I cannot continue living in a place where every day feels like surviving another hidden attack." Alexander’s voice softened slightly.
Those words struck deeper than Sebastian expected. For a moment, he only saw his son, not his heir, or the Alpha Prince. A son who had spent years battling illness, curses, weakness, and danger.
Sebastian’s expression shifted again. This time, anger gave way to emotion. "You are my son." The words came out heavier now. "You are safest here."
Alexander held his gaze. "Am I?"
Sebastian froze. The simple question hit harder than any argument, but Alexander did not stop.
"If I remain here, nothing changes." He asked in a steady tone. "Palace politics will continue. Schemes will continue."
His eyes darkened slightly. Then he said the part Sebastian dreaded hearing. "And eventually, someone will try again."
Sebastian clenched his jaw. His frustration returned. And this time, he tried authority; therefore, his voice turned sharp.
"You are the Alpha Prince," he reminded. "You cannot simply walk away from the palace."
Alexander shook his head slowly while maintaining eye contact. "If being the Alpha Prince means I cannot have peace... health... or a long life..."
His next words struck like a blade. "Then I can give away the title."
Real hurt surfaced openly on Sebastian’s face, finally. The statement wounded him deeply because of what it meant.
His son had become so exhausted and so worn down that he was willing to abandon everything just to live peacefully.
Sebastian looked away for the first time as pain tightened in his chest.
He had spent years protecting Alexander. Years fighting against fate itself for this child. And now his own son was telling him that the life prepared for him had become a prison.
When Sebastian finally spoke again, his voice had lost all its earlier force. It sounded tired and heavy.
"You would truly give up everything?"
Alexander answered without hesitation. "Yes."
Sebastian lowered himself into a chair and slowly rubbed a hand over his face. Next, he closed his eyes briefly. The fight had left him.
When he opened them again, sorrow lingered there. "I cannot stop you, can I?"
Alexander said nothing. He did not need to, and his father already knew the answer.
Another silence followed, then the King exhaled deeply. "You are stubborn." Despite everything, a faint, bitter smile touched his lips. "Just like your mother."
Alexander did not argue that. He bowed slightly before turning to leave. At least, he had already informed his father, and whatever he planned to do with that information was left for him.
He had already made up his mind, and nothing could stop him.
The doors shut behind him.
Sebastian remained alone in the study as silence filled the room once more. He sat there without moving as Alexander’s words kept replaying in his mind.
If being the Alpha Prince means I cannot have peace, health, or a long life... then I can give away the title.
Sebastian shut his eyes. The words really hurt far more than he cared to admit.